Architecture of Qatar
The architecture of Qatar, similarly to other Persian Gulf nations, is strongly influenced by Islamic architecture. Qatari architecture has retained its Islamic essence, evident in the unadorned, humble designs of its mosques. This tradition extends to other buildings, which feature many decorative elements such as arches, niches, intricately carved plaster patterns, gypsum screens, and battlements atop walls and towers.
The country's hot desert climate heavily influenced the selection of building materials in traditional architecture. Rough stones, sourced from rocky hillsides or coastal areas, were commonly used. These stones were systematically arranged in rows, with clay from the Persian Gulf serving as the binding agent. This clay was also employed to coat wall surfaces, both inside and outside, and to fill the gaps between stones. Ceilings were similarly covered with clay. In situations where stones were scarce, mud bricks were sometimes substituted. As construction techniques evolved, clay, which was unsuitable for the rainy winter season, was gradually replaced with gypsum mortar for plastering walls. Various types of wood were incorporated as well, particularly wooden beams for supporting ceilings. Limestone, quarried from nearby rocky hills, was also occasionally used.
Types of traditional architecture
Qatar's architectural heritage, like that of other Arabian Peninsula countries, includes buildings from the 17th to early 20th centuries, with at least one surviving structure dating hundreds of years earlier: Murwab Fort. Qatari architecture is categorized into three main types: religious, civil, and military.Religious architecture includes mosques, which serve as places for the five daily prayers and the Friday congregational prayer. Mosques in Qatar are characterized by their simplicity and modesty yet will occasionally contain attractive ornamentation.
Included among civil architecture are palaces, houses and marketplaces. Palaces were grand structures that housed local rulers and displayed a high level of opulence. Homes for both the nobility and common people were constructed from clay and stones. Upper-class homes were typically large, while working class homes were smaller. Initially, marketplaces consisted of rows of wooden pillars covered with fabric or burlap. Over time, they evolved to include structures made of stone and clay, forming two rows of shops facing each other.
Military architecture consists of fortresses and defensive walls. Fortresses were often built along the borders, and featured watchtowers at the corners and various rooms along the interior walls, resembling castles. Large defensive walls made of stone and clay often enclosed settlements, with main gates that were closed at nightfall. Towers were erected at intervals along these walls for added defense.
Climatic and regional adaptations
The architecture in Qatar has been significantly shaped by climate and environmental factors. Due to the region's desert climate, which features minimal rainfall in winter and high temperatures and humidity in summer, flat roofs are predominant instead of pitched ones. To mitigate the heat, architects designed shaded areas adjacent to mosques and houses, which open directly onto courtyards. The intense sunlight led to the use of relatively small lighting openings compared to the expansive exterior walls.Residential buildings in Qatar and the Gulf region often feature rectangular windows that open onto the courtyard. In living rooms and upper-floor rooms, windows typically face both the courtyard and the road. Additionally, for ventilation and lighting, other openings known as badjeer are commonly constructed in upper rooms but are rarely found in lower ones.
Coastal Qatari architecture shows influences from Iranian architecture, while inland architecture is more reflective of Najdi styles, particularly in fortified houses found in Al Rayyan, Al Wajbah, and Umm Salal Mohammed. Coastal villages like Al Jumail and Al Wakrah demonstrate the adaptation of inexpensive Persian Gulf models, with houses constructed from local materials like hasa and juss. The architecture of these areas was designed to benefit from on-shore breezes and to meet the economic needs of the inhabitants which comprised fishing and pearling. For instance, Al Wakrah contains more historic wind towers than any other settlement in the country.
Houses
Layout and design
Qatari houses, the smallest urban units, are centered around courtyards, which serve as venues for family functions. These courtyards provide ventilation, sunlight, and a private space for domestic activities and social interactions. The number of courtyards varies based on family size and wealth. Surrounding the courtyard are multifunctional rooms used for sleeping, eating, and socializing, with their usage depending on the season and climatic conditions.Privacy and territoriality are key considerations in Qatari house design. Spaces are segregated to separate male visitors from the family and young men from women. The majlis always has a separate access route to maintain privacy. As families grow, new plots and access points are established. Houses typically feature flat roofs to provide shade, with small window openings to reduce heat. Badjeer ventilation openings are common in majlis and upper rooms, enhancing airflow and comfort. The design of Qatari houses includes shaded areas like terraces and verandas to provide comfortable spaces for outdoor activities.
Privacy
In Qatari architecture, houses are viewed as a private entity, meant to be discreet and unassuming from street view. Typically, only one external wall faces the street, and it is designed to maintain privacy, often featuring minimal openings. Any windows or doors are screened to prevent outsiders from seeing into the household's private areas. Privacy is a fundamental principle in Islamic societies, reflected in the separation of male and female spaces within the home. Regardless of a house's size, maintaining privacy remains a crucial aspect of its design.Guests
Qatari residential developments often feature extensive internal and external spaces. The men's section of the house usually includes accommodations for guests, with some homes providing a guest room and bathroom facilities. In other cases, guests might sleep overnight in the majlis, a traditional sitting area. This design reflects the importance of hospitality and the majlis in Qatari homes.Majlis
In traditional affluent Qatari households, the majlis served as one of the most significant spaces. This formal, gender-specific reception area was utilized for hosting visitors, conducting business, and leisure activities. The majlis also functioned as a forum for social interaction, discussion, and conflict resolution, with a particular emphasis on the wisdom and authority of elder members. These gatherings occasionally served as platforms for various forms of folk arts. In the past, the "dour", or spacious rooms designated for these gatherings, hosted seafarers, dhow captains, and enthusiasts of folk arts between pearl fishing seasons. Here, they engaged in al-samra, evenings of song and dance, celebrated during weddings and other occasions for entertainment. The majlis represented the homeowner's temperament and status, and it continues to hold an essential communicative role within Qatari society, facilitating interactions with outsiders.Typically, the majlis was a designated room near the courtyard entrance, allowing guests access without intruding into the private parts of the house. It was often the only room with windows facing the street and was the most elaborately decorated area in the house. Ceilings made from mangrove and palm were often painted with colorful geometric patterns. Wealthier homes featured colored glass windows and sometimes included window screens or carved gypsum panels with symmetrical geometric designs. Simpler houses used more modest decorations, such as recessed niches. Floors of hard-packed earth or gypsum were covered with the household's finest rugs and cushions and other sentimental items.
Another type of majlis, known as the dikka, was an elevated earthen platform typically found outside. Sometimes situated in a public area, the dikka was covered with mats and shaded by barasti walls or a tent. It could also take the form of a bench along the outside of a structure. Although this type of majlis was not common in Doha, it remains visible in the previously inhabited settlements surrounding the city. It was also historically present in the Old Amiri Palace, which is now the centerpiece of the National Museum of Qatar.
Decoration
The houses of wealthy Qataris and Gulf residents are characterized by intricate gypsum decorations, often geometric or plant-based. Wooden doors and windows are similarly adorned, sometimes featuring colorful glass. Exterior walls might be decorated with recesses and arches, while interior walls are plastered with inscribed gypsum panels and friezes. Rawashin, or recessed niches, are commonly used for storing lamps and other items, adding both functional and decorative elements to the rooms.Water usage
In traditional Qatari houses, water was a vital resource carefully managed. Most homes, especially those belonging to wealthier families, featured a water well within the courtyard. This well was the primary source of water for various domestic activities, including washing clothes, cleaning kitchenware, showering, and watering any plants within the courtyard. Washing and cooking were often done in the courtyard, taking advantage of the open space and natural light.Traditional Qatari houses featured simple but functional bathrooms. These washrooms, often adjoined to each of the typically one to two main rooms of a house, were designed to ensure privacy while facilitating easy access to water from the well. All family members used the washrooms at all the times of the day for various purposes, including bathing, washing hands and feet, and other personal hygiene activities.